FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If your doctor has recommended an evaluation, it's essential to discuss it further with them if you have concerns about undergoing the evaluation.
You would only need to go through the driving program if the PennDOT medical unit mandates it or if you’re referring healthcare provider believes it's necessary to make an informed decision about your safety while driving.
In such circumstances, a pre-driving evaluation will be conducted to determine if it's appropriate to obtain a dual control permit from the PennDOT medical unit before proceeding to the on-road component of the driving evaluation.
The evaluation typically takes 1.5-2 hours to complete. It includes a Pre-Driving (Clinical) Evaluation and, if necessary, a Behind the Wheel assessment. The clinical evaluation comprehensively assesses your foundational skills for driving, including physical, visual, emotional, and cognitive abilities, considering your current medical condition. If you demonstrate sufficient abilities in the clinical evaluation, you will also have an on-road assessment.
No, this assessment is different from the DMV written or road test. It is a therapeutic evaluation of your current medical status and its impact on your ability to drive safely.
Your evaluation will be conducted by an occupational therapist who is also a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.
Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties. Please contact us for more details on other areas that we serve.
Typically, the driving evaluation will be performed at your home, following a predesigned on-road route that includes various traffic situations. Additional assessment and training alternate locations, if needed, will be discussed during the driving evaluation.
No, we use the program's vehicle, which is equipped with extra safety features, such as an instructor brake, special mirrors, and adaptive driving equipment if needed.
The primary goal of a driving evaluation is to determine if someone is safe to drive or return to driving. We perform a thorough pre-driving and on-road assessment to provide a well-informed recommendation to your referring healthcare provider regarding your driving safety. The final decision will be made by your referring healthcare provider.
Yes, payment for all services is due on the day of service before the session begins.
Unfortunately, Medicare and commercial insurance companies do not cover the cost of our services.
Possibly. There are limited options for third-party payers for driving evaluations and training, but programs like OVR sometimes support their clients with driving rehab services. See the link in the resource section for more information.
Yes, any visit (extended evaluation, training, DMV prep/test) following the initial driving evaluation will be billed accordingly.
Unfortunately, no. The fees for the evaluation and training are related to the skilled service being provided and are not based on passing or failing.
That will be determined by your referring healthcare provider in collaboration with the driver rehabilitation specialist who performed your initial evaluation.
If driving retirement or discontinuation is recommended, that recommendation will be passed along to your referring healthcare provider. If your provider concurs with our findings, they may report your case to PennDOT's medical unit, in accordance with Pennsylvania code 1518(b).
Every client we see is unique, so training length/duration cannot be pre-determined. All training is based on progress and customized to the client's needs. Your driver rehab specialist will discuss training expectations with you as you progress.
Usually, lessons are one hour long.
We can evaluate and train clients on the use of adaptive driving equipment, from basic steering aides to hand controls.
Not all clients are successful with driver training. If you are progressing safely and appropriately, it will likely take a few weeks from the initial evaluation to passing the DMV road test to have your license specially coded.
The driving evaluation does not replace any request from PennDOT regarding restoring driving license privileges. Typically, clients will have to retake a DMV road test if they have a dual control permit or training with adaptive driving equipment so to be properly coded.
Once successfully completing driver training and passing the DMV road test, a prescription will be provided to you so that your own vehicle can be properly equipped by a mobility vendor.